851.01/2188: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 2—4:07 a.m.]
1012. For the Secretary and Under Secretary [from Murphy]. Should the present discussions between de Gaulle and Giraud result in creation of a Central French Administration for all overseas territories I believe that careful consideration should be given to the question of the relationship of this Central Administration not only to the United States Government but to the United Nations as a whole. It is recognized that the United Nations Declaration38 contemplates the adherence of “Governments” and that the new French administration will not be a government. The final clause, however, refers to the adherence of “other nations.” In our opinion not only will the new French administration wish to be regarded as an ally and therefore as one of the United Nations but that its adherence to the Declaration would be of definite advantage in the prosecution of the war. We hope therefore that an appropriate formula could be found.
Whereas it is understood that the National Committee has declared [Page 129] that a state of war exists between it and the Japanese Government this does not apply to the North African Administration but it is assumed would be required if the new Central Administration is to join the United Nations. Likewise the importance of the agreement not to enter a separate peace is self-apparent and should justify admission of this organization upon the basis of equality insofar as the territories and resources it controls are concerned.
Macmillan is raising these questions with the Foreign Office and we would welcome an early expression of your views as this will undoubtedly be one of the first questions which the new administration will wish to discuss with us. [Murphy.]
- Signed at Washington, January 1, 1942, Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. i, p. 25.↩